DIPLOMACY AND THE BLOCKADE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2401, 5 March 1915, Page 5

DIPLOMACY AND THE BLOCKADE WAR.

UNITED STATES'NOTE FLOATING MINES AND SUBMARINE PIRACIES _ • Amsterdam, March 3. The United States' Note on the subject of the blockade hopes that Germany • and Britain, by reciprocal concessions, may discover the basis for an understanding which will tree neutral ships from serious dangers. This suggestion is no,t a proposal, but the United States takes the liberty of a sincere fnend, actuated by the desire to serve the intere6tsof humanity. Any agreement, to be' a mGdus vivendi, must be based more on suitableness than on legal right under international law. It suggests that 110 isolated drifting mines • should be laid, and that all mines should.bear a Government mark, and be bo constructed as to become harmless if they break loose from their auclior'age. Neutral Flags. It further.suggests that mercantile ships of both parties should not employ neutral flags, that Britain should agree to foodstuffs not being included as absolute contraband, and not hold up cargoes addressed to agencies in Germany, the names of which have been communicated to the United States, for the purpose of handing the goods to lioensed German retailors for exolusiva distribution to the civil population. / THE CERMAN REPLY. The German Note in reply sees in the American suggestions a new proof of friendly feelings, and says that the suggestions correspond with German wishes 'that naval war should be waged according to the rules, takiug into consideration the interests of neutrals as well as the laws of humanity. Observance of the .Declaration of London by Germany's enemies would create a new situation. It was not practicablo that belligerent Powers should fully renounce the employment of anchored mines for .offensive purposes, but the Note says Germany is willing that German submarines should only employ force against merchantmen for purposes of search if they are of a hostile nationality. The presence of contraband proved, the submarines would proceed according to general international rules. It was obvious that hostile merchantmen must not be armed, and should refrain from offering resistance. > Food Supplies. Regarding the importation of food, it- is suggested that the regulation should include indirect importations'via neutral ports. Hostile Governments would have to allow free passage to Germany of raw materials included in the fi;ee list in the Declaration of Loudon, and treat foodstuffs a# materials contained in the list of conditional contraband. The German Note concludes: '"The effects on neutral shipping would be substantially diminished if the importation of war material from neutrals to belligerents were stopped. The adoption of a definite" attitude must be postponed until th© British reply has been received." . JOINT REPLY BY THE ALLIES RETALIATION, BUT NOT PIRACY. AND MURDER. m, ™ , • , London, March 3. • The "Tunes's" Washington correspondent states that ithe Allies' plan of retaliation against the German blockade has been submitted to the American State Department in the form of a Joint Note, whioh makes it olear that while th*> Allies do not propose to copy the German- methods of piracy and niurder itwill be impossible for them to maintain the traditional methods of maritime warfare—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services.

ALLIES' ATTITUDE FAVOURABLY REVIEWED IN ITALY. ■tu a , w. i. v * '■ •' ■ , - London, Maroh 3. Ihe Anglo-French Note announcing reprisals against Germany • has been favourably received by tho Italian Press, which declares that it will be a lesson to-Germany,-who has been forgetful of international treaties.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. • GERMAN BLUSTER IN THE"COLOGNE GAZETTE." r™ „ Amsterdam, Maroh 3. The "Cologne Gazette," commenting on Mr. Asqutth's speech, demands the destruction of all goods destined for England, "whioh wants war, and shall have it." HUNTING DOWN THE CONTRABAND SMUGGLERS BANNED GOODS FOR GERMANY. SEIZED. • , Rome, Maroh 3. Four hundred and seventy quintals (hundredweights in English measure) of copper, destined for Berlin, was discovered under vegetables in a railway car at Chiasso Station. The sender was an Italian chemist at Turin. Quantities of copper wire were found on his promises. Copenhagen, Maroh 3. A quantity of provisions and metal was found on four German tugs in the roadstead. The crews were arrested. , HEADQUARTERS OF THE CONTRABANDISTS. (Rec. March 5, 0.5 a.m.) Rome, March i, The "Messagero" states that the headquarters _of the German contrabandists is at Barcelona, fr6m whence' merchandise is shipped to Amsterdam, via. Genoa," as cargoes leaving a iieutral maritime station for another neutral pott, and so immune from capture. German emissaries in Genoa dispatch the |eodfl to Amsterdam, via Switzerland. When the train reaches Germany the goods are taken out and the firm in Amsterdam never complain of nonarrival. I ' THE VENDETTA ON PIRATE SUBMARINES NORWEGIAN STEAMER'S CLAIM FOR RAMMING ONE. (Reo. Maroh 5, 0.5 a.m.) . London, March 4. The Admiralty is dry-docking the Norwegian steamer. Thordis (501 tons), in order to prove whether she is entitled to £1160 reward for the sinking of a German submarine (previously"reported). The'captain and crew are emphatic that they saw a submarine'in broad daylight, two ship's lengths away. The Thordis was almost stationary in a rough sea, and a torpedo narrowly missed her. The captain expeoting another shot determined to try- and ram the submarine. Tho wind and sea fortunately drove the Thordis down upon the submarine, and the rending of plates was hoard.

UNDER-WATER. RAIDER'S NARROW ESCAPE. ' (Rec. March 5, 1.5 a.m.) Paris, March 4. A. German submarine was sighted fire miles off Calais on Saturday. The fort discharged twelve shots, and the submarine took refuge behind a hospital ship and so escaped. STEAMER CHASED FOR FORTY MILES. • ■ (Rec. March 5, 1.5 a.m.) Rotterdam, March,4. A submarine ohased the steamer Wrexham for' forty miles between Harwich and Rotterdam, but was shaken off. A GERMAN ALLEGATION WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES. Amsterdam, March 3. K report has been circulated that a private yacht fired on the German submarine U2l in the St. George's Channel (between Ireland and Wales). The statement is possibly promulgated by Germany's desire to justify her submarines sinking everything. (Rec. March 5, l.u a.m.) London, March 4. The "Daily Chroniclc" states that the yacht which .shelled the German, submarine has' been employed on patrol duty since tlm war began. She sighted ttoa Btifemsrliip at ftv® tuoutiftnd .Wdsi. HrM mtw fjict.n from h«rS*twiMd«rs. JOS9 OWW. W'fiMWft W#M 6HMUV6i

SAFETY, OF, THE TRANS-ATLANTIC LINERS, "" London, March 3. Passengers by the steamer Luaitania from NW York are - required. t# identify-each piece of thoir luggage before it is hoisted on to the ship and satisfy the officers as to its identity. Before passing the guards on the gangways the luggage is scrutinised to prevent the smuggling of infernal machines—"Times" and Sydney. "Sun" services. STEAMER 'ATTACKED BY, 'AEROPLANES. London, March" 3; : Two German aeroplanes dropped three bombs, which did no harm, near the Glasgow steamer Dalbtair, off the Esses coast.